The Wanderer
Naranja y Uva Dorm, past
Iridium: -To Trill- Okay.
Ammit: -To Quake Parade- <And what sort of "treasure" would that be?>
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
Slateport City Pokemon Center
Meanwhile, in the basement of the Center that housed lots of Pokeballs containing recently healed Pokemon or otherwise Pokemon being held onto while their trainers received treatment, a Pokeball containing a Breloom had managed to roll off the shelf, releasing him.
Shroomy: Phew! Now to get the others, and then we can find Poppy!
He jumped, trying to make it up to where his team members' Pokeballs were, before remembering: he was a Breloom now. He could stretch his arms! So, he stretched his arms, grabbed the Pokeballs, and brought out Donut, Sunrise, and the newest member, Crusher.
Donut: I feel dizzy... hey, where are we?
Shroomy: Listen up! We're in the Pokemon Center at the moment. First we make it up those stairs, and then we find Poppy! Follow my lead!
Shroomy and his teammates then climbed up the stairs leading to the Center's main hallways (Donut begrudgingly followed as he didn't like taking orders from Shroomy) and now, their task was to find Poppy.
Sunrise and Crusher specifically seemed very tense with one another.
Crusher: Hey, I don't know how to bring this up to you, but I'm your old friend...
Sunrise: I know. I recognise your smell.
Crusher: Look, I'm sorry about the misunderstanding and accidentally landing you in all that, but-
Sunrise: Look. We're trying to find our trainer, who's probably badly injured. We'll... try and make sense of this later, alright?
Meanwhile, the Nurse returned to Poppy, with some news for her about her brother's condition.
Nurse: Okay, so your brother has much worse injuries than you, but he's alive and breathing. Unfortunately, he isn't conscious... we think he might be in a coma.
The news caused Poppy's eyes to swell with tears.
Nurse: Yeah... hey, I know what'll cheer you up! I'll go get your Pokemon, and they'll all see you're okay!
The Nurse exited the room, as Poppy's Rotom Phone, which somehow wasn't broken, flew out of her purse, ringing. The Rotom inside answered it for her and put it on speaker, and Poppy could hear her dad's voice over the phone.
Poppy's dad: Hey, Poppy. You alright?
Poppy: Yeah, I'm fine.
Poppy's dad: Oh, I'm so glad. Listen, I've got bad news. Your brother-
Poppy: I know, dad. I was in the cave when it happened.
She could hear her dad's shock over the phone.
Poppy: Dad, I think I know what I want to do now. I'm going to travel the world battling, and getting stronger. That way, I can protect others. And no one will have to suffer like my brother is ever again... I was too weak to go up there and protect him. I know what I have to do.
The GM House, Temporary Soundproofed Workshop Extension
-The workshop girls lean around each other to listen on on their boss's phone call.-
Deziree: Doc, you're asking a lot.
Dr. Mesquite: [Trust me dear, I know. But you're the only one I can think of that might be able to help her.]
Deziree: I... okay, look. You know I'm not gonna say no. But I'm also not gonna say I'm gonna be able to do it.
Dr. Mesquite: [All I'm asking for is an attempt. The accident killed her brother, and the only thing that's kept her vitals from giving out from grief is a visit from Ludmilla's Blissey.]
-Deziree lets out a deep sigh and massages her forehead for a moment while she considers things.-
Deziree: You do know that nobody, and I mean nobody, has been ever to accurately replicate a kidney with prosthetics before, right?
Dr. Mesquite: [They also hadn't ever created robots that use black holes for power sources before.]
Deziree: Wait, who told you-
Dr. Mesquite: [Either way, she's currently in the Phenac City ICU. I'm sending you her medical records.]
Deziree: Okay no, wait, you're not a practicing medical doctor! How do you have the authority to be tossing around her medical records like that?
Dr. Mesquite: [While she's incapacitated, I have her power of attorney.]
Deziree: ... How????
Dr. Mesquite: [She's my granddaughter.]
-There is a very long pause.-
Deziree: Alright. I'll see what I can do.
Dr. Mesquite: [Thank you.]
-A notification sound pops up on Deziree's main computer screen. Dezi drags it to screen three and opens it.-
-Deziree sighs as she grabs a spare engine belt and uses it to tie her hair back.-
Deziree: Alright girls. We're going back into prosthetics.
Lumi: Prosthewhats?
Twitch: YEEEEEEEE!
Vinegar: YAAAAAA!
Deziree: Lumi, clear the workbench and make sure the fine tools are ready. Twitch, you're on materiel. Get me everything that was on the list for the last arm we made but tripled, and watch for any requests I shoot your way. Vinegar, I have some messages for you to send out. For my husband, "I'm saving a life again, have dinner without me." For Doomsday, "Good job. Now it's my turn." For Ludmilla, "Please watch over Phosphora for me for a bit longer." And for anyone else asking for me: "I am currently on a high priority project. Please leave your name and phone number and we'll get back to you."
Vinegar: Anything else, boss?
Deziree: Get me some coffee.
Vinegar: ... You mean the decaf you usually get, ri-
Deziree: No. Get me some coffee.
chaos catby with a flannel shirt addiction
Veilstone hospital ward
Jess wakes up in a hospital bed, attached to an IV drip. Violet is sitting next to her reading her phone. Robin is standing guard. They try to sit up, but their chest hurts. Their pained groan alerts Violet, who looks up.
Violet: Jess! You're finally awake! I thought you'd died!
Jess: I... What?
Violet: I'm sorry I didn't stop and think about that berry juice. I should have stopped and thought about it for more than half a second. Also I'm so sorry for breaking your ribs.
Jess: Wait, how?
Violet: You were dying!! I had to try and remember that CPR course I did ages ago! Apparently I was doing it properly.
Jess: That's lucky... I guess. Ow.
I used to plug my deviantart here but turns out the link was too long.
Slateport City Pokemon Center
The Nurse went to go collect Poppy's Pokemon for her - but eventually, she bumped into a Breloom.
Nurse: Oh my- Sorry! I- hey, you belong to that Poppy girl, don't you?
Shroomy: Wha-? Oh, yes.
Shroomy cleared his throat.
Shroomy: Why, yes! For we are Poppy's Pokemon!
He then turned behind himself to his teammates.
Shroomy: Did that sound good?
Sunrise: I don't think she'll care about that.
Nurse: A team of Cyclizar, Breloom, Vulpix, and Aron... you must be! Perfect! I was going to come collect you! Come along, Poppy will be delighted to see you!
The Nurse then led the four Pokemon to Poppy's bedside.
Poppy: Donut, Shroomy, Sunrise, Crusher... you're all here!
Donut: Yep! Boy, am I glad we didn't die back there!
Poppy: Guys, listen up. As soon as I get out of this hospital bed, we're going to travel the world!
All her Pokemon were shocked.
Donut: Travel the world?!
Poppy: Listen, guys... If I was stronger, I would have been able to make it out of that floor and help my brother out. So that's what we'll do! We'll travel the world, training, battling all kinds of strong trainers, and seeing the sights! Like a big old road trip!
Donut: And here I was thinking I'd never see anywhere beyond Hoenn... I was wrong!
Shroomy: You got me! I'm pumped!
Sunrise: Alright! Let's do this! I am so fired up!
Crusher: You'll never stop making that pun, won't you? Anyways, woohoo!
Nurse: Alright, but don't go rushing out of bed just yet. We'll keep you in here for a few more days, and then you'll be free to go!
Poppy: Alright! Let the real journey begin!
A few days later
Poppy had taken her first few steps out of the hospital, looking back on it.
Poppy: Here I go... my mission to become stronger.
A tear then ran down her cheek.
Poppy: It's the least I can do, after all... oh, Brayden... if I were stronger I could have saved you... I won't be the same, weak old Poppy I was if- when you wake up. I'll be stronger.
Twixt Whirlwinds Of Thought And Emotion
-Strike the iron, lay the rails; trust the process, it never fails.-
-Threefold knowledge, kept in key; crushing doubt made to flee.-
-A blank canvas, pure and white; err long written this very night.-
-Fire of creation, burn burn burn; tell us the lesson we should learn.-
We should use some of those Auric metals from PEFE.
I disagree. If we want this to be mass-produced, the excessive use of exotic materials will only hamper than goal.
Neutron's right. We should keep things as simple as feasibly possible. How about, instead of metal as the filter, we use specifically charged semisolids to draw in contaminants?
Semisolids? Like... gels?
I dunno, how would that even work?
Well, here me out, it might need some particular dietary choices, but by using a bit of the excess keratin in the body, we could potentially make some new protein out of that...
Are you following this?
I zoned out after "keratin".
... and then we can still use the old, proper human bladder as the normal depository point...
I don't think either of us are going to be able to follow now that we're into biology.
A'ight, I'll tag in the Slowking, then. Alright, you're up.
Well now, this is interesting...
Oh, Code Talker, good timing - mind helping me figure out the proper transfer method of getting contaminants from an artificial kidney to the bladder?
The term for that is a "ureter", but I suppose you're more concerned about in what form the contaminants should be transferred in so they do not harm the bladder on arrival, correct?
Yeah, I'm trying to think of a keratin-based protein slurry that would pick up the contaminants and keep them contained, but I'm not sure if that would work.
Keratin is a very inefficient protein for this sort of thing - it is very long and fibrous, as far as molecules go. Here, perhaps we may be able to find a more suitable alternative...
Oh, wait, duh, blood cells! We could try using the waste proteins from dead blood cells!
Just what my first recommendation was going to be. I'll list the available options, and we'll see if anything strikes your fancy...
Person, or Idea?
Note: Spagposted with MasterJayAM and TheAbsentCoder.
Argon took a while to arrive.
From the time Neon left, there was a huge awkward stretch of time where nothing happened. There was only silence, punctuated on occasion by the muffled sounds of objects breaking and bodies crashing into things.
That awkward near-silence was soon broken when Watson buzzed in from the other side of the intercom. "Please wait. I'll sort this out in a jiff," followed by more crashing sounds, a very loud, audible snap, and pained "ows" from voices Tenor could recognize from Argon, Neon, and Helium's speech device.
Spiteful snickering, in a tone recognized by Tenor as Xenon, could also be heard in the background. It was followed by an exasperated Watson's voice saying "Helpful as always."
This basically gave Tenor a lot of awkward down time to actually read about Argon's power set. The dossier revealed that she was related to some woman named Adelinde, said to be her "predecessor" but in context seems like a blood relative, who she is constantly compared to.
Subject's control of bladed constructs continues to grow. On their own, the subject is capable of controlling a similar number of blade constructs to [redacted] with some degree of precision. The number of constructs they can control effectively varies. Their effectiveness caps close to their predecessor at around [redacted] auric blades. Moreover, they seem to lose precision as the number of constructs created increases; at approximately 5,000 constructs, few of them actually manage to hit the targets at all.
"Unlimited Blade Doesn't Work - Xe," purple writing appeared in the margin.
Using what time he had, Mr. Tenor speed read and memorized Argon's dossier. He was quite concerned with how much the writer of this dossier seemed to focus on the powers Argon displayed, rather than the person she was. Then again, he reminded himself, that's the whole point of this interview. Let's see if our lass here is the kind who makes ten thousand knives when all she wants is a spoon, or something.
"That's not even describing irony!"
"Quiet, 35!"
Mr. Tenor then noticed an uncomfortably long time had elapsed since Watson's last contact. Activating the intercom, he says "Hello, Watson. Are we sorted? Do we need to reschedule?" He swallowed his joke about waiving the cancellation fee.
"Oh, she should be with you soon." Replied Watson from the Intercom. "And because we kept you waiting, we got you a little something to perk you up."
Entering the room once more is Neon. They had a cooling gel pad on their scalp and a sling on their left arm. On their right arm was a cup of coffee, with the distinctive aroma of Tenor's preferred coffee blend.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting, Mr. Tenor." Neon added meekly. "I won't be bothering you again."
"You really are spineless, are you?" Yelled a distinctively teenage girl's voice from behind them. The door opened with a bang, revealing a young woman with long hair, piercing lilac eyes, and stern face. She was backlit by a bright light that came out of nowhere and a halo of pink knifelike aura constructs—around 20 of them—revolved behind her. On her forehead was the same adhesive cooling gel pad. "Get lost."
"Maybe don't raise us somewhere designed to rip it from us," Xenon countered.
As she side-eyed Xenon just outside Tenor's view, Argon promptly formed a tiny teaspoon out of pink aura and used it to daintily stir the coffee on Tenor's desk. Neon slowly made their way out.
"There's that spoon."
"Make this quick, teach," she sneered, rolling her eyes at Xenon's input. "Someone decided to snap his fingers and gave me a terrible headache."
"Watch your tongue, Argon." Watson interjected from the Intercom, "I know you're trying to pin the blame on me. If you want to stay unconscious, there'll be plenty of time for that after the interview."
"Whatever. This headache is killing me. "
"Solidarity," Xenon noted.
"Wait a minute. You didn't hit your head all that ha—" Before Watson could finish, Argon pressed the intercom button before he could continue.
"Shall we begin, Mr. Tenor?"
"Of course, Argon," Mr. Tenor said. He took one look at the many knives circling around her, then at the teaspoon in her hand. It was surprising, not ironic, and obvious in hindsight to him that she could shape her constructs any way she pleased. That's all he needed to know to get a move on with the interview.
Pointing out the recorder on the table, Mr. Tenor said "Assume you're on the record. Anything we say, they know." Then, quickly following up with his first question, he asked Argon "In your own words, how would you describe yourself to someone you just met?" He would have added "A bit more than just your powers, if you please," but the many knives above Argon's head dissuaded him from doing so.
"Oh, don't worry, teach, I'm more than just my powers." Argon bragged. "Where shall we begin? Hmmm. If I hadn't made it obvious, of the group I am the one with the most experience in offensive capabilities. And before you ask, I'm not even talking about the knives; they just make the process quicker as most conflicts and assignments bore me. If I wanted an intellectual challenge, I'd plan around ways to accomplish my goals without relying on these lovely things."
She spun the knives behind her in an eye-catching fashion, like a Quaquaval presenting its display train during mating season.
"I see," Mr. Tenor said, jotting down Argon's boast in his notepad. His eyes were sent spinning by her knife-spinning act, and he instantly conjured an image in his mind's eye of her as a circus performer. Stealing a quick glance at the cup of coffee, but not quite daring to disrupt the teaspoon just yet, he then moved on to the next topic. "Let's hear about your extracurricular activities." The little knife trick she had just displayed gave him the slight glimmer of hope that she was not all violence and the planning thereof.
"Extracurriculars?" Argon snorted, "A perfect soldier is made, not born. Any time I spend honing the craft is time wasted, if you ask me. But of course, the mind cannot be a one-track machine. It needs to be challenged by introducing tangential concepts, so I find alternate forms of enrichment."
She used telekinesis to pull a large wooden block and a much smaller one, no doubt something she arranged to be brought earlier for another round of showing off. The knife constructs she used began circling around the piece of wood, grazing it little by little. Chips flew around the block and curls of wood shavings littered the floor.
The end result was a wooden sculpture of excellent aesthetic balance, consisting of a perfect facsimile of Tenor (back when he was college-aged), albeit more athletic-looking, wearing a finely detailed suit that, if it were real, was definitely not off-rack. The statue was perfectly sanded and needed only a coat of varnish to look "complete."
"Your likeness here is captured in a way that matches the golden ratio, also known as Phi, as embodied in the helical shapes of omastar shells." Argon said proudly. "Of course, I had to exercise a bit of artistic license but I'm certain that it captures your platonic ideal of self. If we have more time, you should see what I could do with basalt or fine marble."
"Suck up." A barely-audible hushed voice said from just outside the room.
Shortly after hearing that, Argon stared at the hallway and narrowed her eyes. The knife constructs began carving the smaller block, eventually producing realistic (but unflattering) busts of Neon and Xenon, which she telekinetically tossed at the doorway. She rolled her eyes as Neon whimpered in pain, saying "I didn't even say anything."
"Classical sculpture is a dying art, but it does the job of honing my precision." Argon said with an unmistakable haughty tone. "I also brush up on various other topics such as military history, geopolitical analysis, and the history and analysis of the visual and performing arts. Dr. Circhester and many other members of the faculty were more than generous in lending me reference material for that purpose."
Mr. Tenor sipped his coffee as he admired Argon's finely-carved sculpture of himself. Thoughts flashed through his mind of her in several different professions: a sculptor clad in an artisan's smock, a news pundit dressed in a business suit as sharp as her blades, a tenured lecturer in a conservative suit and glasses combination, and yes, even a soldier equipped with the tools and dressed in the camouflage uniform of the Galarian [Marines].
The sounds of the busts hitting the door brought Mr. Tenor back to reality, and so he attentively listened to the rest of Argon's answer, scribbling down more notes in his pad all the while.
"That's quite an enlightening response, Argon," Mr. Tenor said, flipping to a clean page in his notepad. "Perhaps we could discuss at a later date what vocations you could undertake with your skills and interests, if you'd like a second opinion from your current guidance counsellor. But of course, you probably read my mind, so let's move on." Clearing his throat, he then said "You did mention earlier that you studied the performing arts. Tell me, then, about any music that caught your interest."
"Oh, am I ever glad you asked." Argon responded with a mischievous glee. "Musical theatre is a passion of mine. I have only been recently introduced to it, yet it feels like it's been with me my whole life."
A sound of throat clearing echoed through the doorway. Argon was silent for an awkward length of time, then turned her head and knife constructs at the door.
"Well, aren't you two unrefined mamoswine going to say anything?" She sneered.
"No comment." Replied a whimpering Neon.
"Where was I? Oh, yes. This love for the musical theatre began when our handlers took us to a field trip to Galar's [West End], at the prestigious if still awkwardly named Chairman Rose Theatre, where they held the then-running revival of [Les Misérables]. I also saw the reunion concert for [West Side Story] and [Guys and Dolls], and then to the opening of Unovan Idiot here in Mesagoza."
"Well, well," Mr. Tenor said, nodding approvingly. "It's quite lovely knowing of your interest in musical theatre, especially with what we're about to prepare." He then drained a bit more of his coffee and added "Perhaps there might be one number in particular you might see yourself performing on stage. Just imagine: the roar of the crowd, the smell of greasepaint, and the heat of the spotlight on you."
"Well," Argon said in an uncharacteristically shy tone. She didn't seem like the type. "There is one song. An old showtune from 1964."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHP9BVo7X1w
Put on your Sunday clothes when you feel down and out
Strut down the street and have your picture took
Dressed like a dream your spirits seem to turn about
That Sunday shine is a certain sign
That you feel as fine as you look!
Beneath your parasol, the world is all a smile
That makes you feel brand new down to your toes
Get out your feathers
Your patent leathers
Your beads and buckles and bows
For there's no blue Monday in your Sunday clothes!
Whilst she sang this, she generated an aura construct in the shape of a cane and began dancing, the knives behind her forming a geometric background that complemented the song. If there was background music, it would have made for quite a production on its own.
Mr. Tenor applauded, politely and enthusiastically (somehow), Argon's impromptu performance. "Well done," he said. "I love it when a student performs from the heart." Then, he took up his notepad and jotted down a few more notes. note Satisfied with what he wrote, he drained the last of his coffee. He always did like how a straight espresso kept him properly alert.
After the performance, Argon took a bow with a flourish.
"Now, you probably know this already," Mr. Tenor added, "but this production we're doing is going to be designed for all of your needs, as they come up. You're free to let me know about any ideas you have or any concerns you want addressed. Any time, any place." He considered adding I bet Addie would be so proud of you, but he swallowed those words. Now wasn't exactly the time to risk probing sore spots in his Schoolkids' hearts.
"I will, Mr. Tenor. Thank you for your kind compliments." Argon responded. With that, she exeunts from the room.
Now only one Noble remains.
Sunyshore, Old Salon
-The building does not speak nor intervene. The swinging doors to the hair care room rest slightly opened, the levers holding them in place having lost a good deal of tension needed to keep them resting fully closed.-
Slateport City
Poppy was going for a walk in order to clear her head, and figure out what her next move was.
Poppy: Now, do I stay in Hoenn? Or head off to another region?
While she was pondering this, she eventually noticed an email on her Rotom Phone, sent from the Pokemon Rangers official email. She opened the email, and begun to read.
Rangers email: Dear Poppy Campbell, we hope this email finds you well. We are deeply sorry for what happened to your brother, and we hope for an eventual recovery for him. Now, we talked with your parents, and we made a plan for you to become stronger - whatever Pokemon you shall deposit in the box will be sent to your father's ranch to be looked after. We also arranged a ticket for you to board a cruise to the Kalos region next week, where you shall receive special training from a strong Trainer there. We can also arrange any further tickets for you to travel to any other regions. Before you depart on the cruise, come to the Slateport Ranger Base, as we have a gift for you that might help in your travels. From the Ranger Base.
Poppy: Lovely! I wonder what that gift they had in mind for me is...
chaos catby with a flannel shirt addiction
Veilstone hospital ward
Violet has left to go grab some food. Robin stands guard. One of the other patients in the ward looks sleepily around the room and notices Jess.
???: You've got purple eyes...
Jess: Huh?
???: Are you... from the school?
Jess jolts up, but is once again forced back down from the pain of their broken ribs. Robin teleports over to the patient and stares them down. They couldn't be older than 13. Clearly another freshman.
Robin: ~Who are you?~
The freshman tears up slightly.
Pat: I'm... Pota- Pat. J-just Pat.
Jess: Robin, stop scaring her... She's too young to be a templar.
Robin: ~Sorry.~
Jess: Don't worry, we're not going to hurt you. I'm not sure I could even if I wanted to right now...
Pat: Are you a... what was it... fluent? Or a templar?
...
Jess: ...I'm not sure what I count as now.
Pat: Well... what you've got right now... is that not also the curse?
Jess: Maybe... I don't think so, though.
Robin: ~If they created you with that allergy, it serves the same purpose, doesn't it?~
Jess: I've not seen you around the stormchaser... and the school would never send someone to a hospital... did you get out recently? Once we get out of here I can take you to the j-team. You'll be safe there.
Pat's eyes widen at the mention of the j-team.
Pat: Wait... You're from the j-team? Can... can you tell me about them?
I used to plug my deviantart here but turns out the link was too long.
Fwomph
The Hamlet, The Weald
And so our two sets of heroes almost literally collide on the thin pathways of the Weald as Kamui and Roxy end up turning onto the same stretch in opposite directions. You two of course know each other already.
Water Vellumental Temple
So would a platform or two!
-Upon noticing someone is already going for the Magic Circle, Gale simply steps back, ready to jump to whatever platform the imminent papercraft Groudon deigns to manifest-
Sunyshore City, Abandoned Salon
-Gale remains silent, simply drifting over to the door to the hair care room and opening it just the minimum for her to slip inside-
It's clearly a case of backroom political albumizing.
Some Rando
Weald, Past
She blinked as she processed the familiar face of Fox, almost chuckling in amusement as she brushed some of her gray hair out of her eyes and gave a bit of a nod.
"Hisashiburi,note she said simply as she kicked at the ground beneath her feet while approaching, catching a hint of Jackal on Fox's scent as well. "Did you two get a psychic distress signal too?"
[Insert Unoriginal Stinger Here]
The Wanderer
Resort Area, July 5th
-Walking into a building and speaking to a receptionist-
Is this the special mon's home?
Outside the Stormchaser, today
Chloe: -To Boron- Still committing crimes against cooking?
Boron: -Laughs- At least unlike certain other people my food doesn't come out burnt.
Chloe: Hey!
-It's then that she feels a subtle change in the air currents-
Someone's coming.
-It's then that an elderly Black woman wearing sunglasses approaches them-
???: Excuse me young ladies, but is this the Stormchaser?
Chloe: -Eyebrow raise, body language shifting slight- Who's asking?
???: No one important, I'm just an old lady.
-She then removes said sunglasses, allowing Chloe and Boron to see her purple eyes-
But there is someone that I wanted to talk to. You two wouldn't happen to know a Chiyo by any chance?
-Both Boron and Chloe share looks-
Boron: -To Chloe- She's... old. I didn't think I'd ever see one of us that was old.
Chloe: She doesn't seem like a Templar, but then, if she had any sort of ill intent, she wouldn't be able to enter the Stormchaser.
Boron: Can't take all of us either.
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
Meet The New Boss
Crown City
-Risky's eyes widen slightly-
Risky: "You're... not the one? You were just a cover-up job?"
Jade: "We... we can't have come all this way for nothing, can we?"
'Risky: "...What else do you know about this Victor?"
The Chiyo Zone
Maurice: -I can be a threat sometimes maybe really. Yeah well you - actually you look nothing like the Chloe from that show Victor is obsessed with. Which is probably a good thing.
Sunyshore Building, Past
-Flamel glances at Gale again and then follows her inside the hair care room-
Water Vellumental Temple
-As Ann activates the Magic Circle Olivia transforms into the Earth Vellumental-
-She summons a wall of earth just in time for the Origami Palkia's ball of water toexplode and wash all over the arena-
-This does, however, levee the Origami Palkia open-
-Including to any attacks from below-
Contact Me!
"He's a geneticist, works with the development department," Akira answered. "Wish I could tell you more but ever heard of a geas? Got something like that, a mental block, a restraining bolt."
Isaac let out a sigh. "What, are you some form of special assassin?"
Akira smiled. "You know how I work, how I blank myself from people's memories. Special is right, I've been doing this for a long time. It's a job, a 9 to 5 for me."
Isaac looked to Risky and Jade. "Anything else you wish to ask? Or shall I take him away?"
Glaseado Mountain
Xaster sneezes. This mountain is cold, and he didn't pack that well for cold climates, assuming that after being in Galar and Sinnoh for the last few years he would be fine. He was not fine - Paldea is colder than general consensus would have him believe.
A phone rings in his pocket. He doesn't answer it at first, as the tone is not his, but then he remembers that Hoops left their phone with him. He presses the answer button, and an image of Kec appears on the screen.
"Oh, hey Kec," he says.
<Xaster> Kec says, surprised. <Where is Hoops?>
"Sorry, Hoops isn't here," Xaster says. He points the phone towards the mountain slopes above him, where what seems to be an avalanche is rapidly approaching.
<Oh my Arceus, get out of there!> Kec yells.
Xaster nods. "Yeah, that's Hoops. Doing a gym battle on snowboards."
It is at this point that Kec remembers that Xaster does not understand pokéspeak. <Nevermind. You're probably safe enough.>
"Yes, they are missing you," Xaster reassures him. "I know they were supposed to call last night."
<It's fine, they texted me to explain.>
"Okay, I'll make sure to tell them off for you."
The avalanche reaches the area Xaster is in, and stops just in front of his feet. Xaster sees the gym leader, Grusha, standing over his unconscious Cetitan, while Hoops and Sud high five. Grusha offers Hoops a handshake and hands over a badge. Hoops then makes their way over.
"Hey," they say. Then they see the screen. "Kec!"
<Hi> their partner says. <Another win?>
"That's three Paldea badges already," Hoops says. "We'll be heading over the mountain for the next one soon."
<Well good luck> Kec says. <I wanted to let you know, they're shooting a movie in Paldea soon and they asked our firm to help with the shoot.>
Ever since Kec made the deal with Zack Nolan, his firm has come a long way. Pokémon actors have finally been able to unionise, with Kec acting as a representative for one of the major unions. The more pokémon join the unions, the less productions are able to get away with treating the pokémon as tools on set. It's a slow process, but there is at least progress. As this is the first movie to shoot abroad using PAG members, Kec is going along as a consultant.
"That's great!" Hoops says, as he explains it all. "I'm so glad that things have been going so well for you." They sigh. "I do miss you here though."
<Yeah> Kec says. <I'll rejoin the team eventually, but for now I still have work to do.>
Hoops nods. "Where are you shooting?"
<Artazan> Kec says. <You think you can meet me there?>
"Try and stop me."
The Wanderer
Water Vellumental Temple, far past
Ann: -Has Dicot attack with a Mega Drain while Origami Palkia stumbles-
Chiyo Zone, past
Chloe: -To Maurice- Who?
-To Chiyo-
Really though? First Louise, now this guy? If more folks find out then about people are going to start calling you "Templar Whisperer", if not an outright traitor. And this Templar in particular.
Chiyo: They can think what they like, I know who I am, and my dedication to our shared cause.
Chloe: Does he even know your whole deal, since I can tell you've shared a bed with him before.
Chiyo: No, but this is a casual thing, I think we both understand that.
Chloe: So what, you're going to have him spy for you then?
Chiyo: -More serious- No. After what happened with Louise, I don't want to risk that with anyone else.
Edited by rmctagg09 on Aug 21st 2023 at 4:40:06 AM
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
The Wanderer
Inside the Stormchaser, past
Chiyo: -Having gotten the rundown- Wait, so, who are you exactly?
Old Woman: Well, like you I was an Iridium, but I go by Marcia now. After I heard your speech, I couldn't help but want to meet the speechmaker in person.
Chiyo: -Taking things in- I don't think I've ever met a Schoolkid that was significantly older than me before, I don't think most of us have.
Chloe: That's how I'd imagine they look at us.
??? Marcia: Yes, I'd imagine you haven't, our life expectancy tends to be low even if the Curse isn't a problem thanks to our Templar counterparts. When I was decanted, designating Schoolchildren by chemical elements was formalized but still fairly novel.
Edited by rmctagg09 on Aug 12th 2023 at 5:52:27 AM
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
Curious Mind
Veilstone City, by the Meteors
As Atrin and Desmond arrive at the Meteors, Atrin looks at them with a face that can only be described as awe. He pulls out his Rotomphone, and immediately starts with the pictures.
Atrin: I should send these to Mr. Holloway. He'll be curious, that's for sure.
Mimir moves closer, and takes a look.
Druid Dude
Veilstone City, Meet the Meteors
Desmond wouldn't have gone to the meteors, personally, but at least he could see the appeal to them, especially for someone like Atrin. For Morgan?
Now these were interesting. Meteors that hold untold history and quite possibly power within them? That was right up Morgan's alley. If she had her old body back, she would immediately break off a chunk and start smithing. Now, however, she couldn't do such things.
Morgan: <Now, Desmond, this could make a great weapon!>
she cackles. Desmond hums to himself and shrugs.
Desmond: Nah. You're cool enough.
Morgan stares at him. Then she goes back to looking at the meteors.
Kid is wrong. she thinks. What good is a sword that loses battles?
Desmond sighs, saddened by his friend's thoughts. In truth, he had been having similar feelings. Atrin was a great trainer already, Desmond was barely trained, and he only had Morgan. He needed more.
That was a bit too much angsting for him to focus on, so he put on a smile and whistled at the meteors.
Desmond: Imagine if one of them opened and sent out an alien.
He laughed and felt the rock, and he could almost imagine the power it would've had. He was surprised they were practically unguarded.
Edited by Jules-Firenze on Aug 13th 2023 at 10:38:14 PM
You piss off the Venom T-Rex. Roll initiative.
Curious Mind
Veilstone City, by the Meteors
Atrin:Anything's possible in this world, I'd say.
Atrin laughs a bit, and suddenly, two more people approach. They're wearing bandit masks from the old west as well as Cowboy hats.
Person A: Well, shucks! Seems you was right about this here Meteor, Davey!
Davey: It could be our rootinest-tootinest score yet, Jonesy! Yee-Haw!
Atrin: Ummm, hello?
Jonesy: Listen up, pardners! We're takin' these here space rocks!"
The two bandits run up to the meteors and try to lift them...and fail miserably, due to the weight.
Davey turns to Atrin and Desmond.
Atrin: I'd prefer you didn't take those, if you don't mind.
Davey: Well, I think this here punk's the reason we can't move these things! Let's teach them a lesson!
The two bandits pull out Pokeballs.
Druid Dude
Desmond and Morgan
Morgan: <Seems like some idiots raced to the scene.>
she scoffs. Desmond sighs.
Desmond: They're not worth it. We could just call the cops on them.
However, Morgan flies into Desmond's hand, and he flicks her, exercising his arm.
Desmond: Atrin, shall we deal with them?
You piss off the Venom T-Rex. Roll initiative.
Curious Mind
Veilstone City, near the Meteors
Atrin: I could use the practice before the gym. Orchard! Let's do this!
Atrin sends out Orchard.
Bandits: Go!
Davey sends out a Sneasel, while Jonesy sends out a Scraggy.
Druid Dude
Desmond and Morgan
Desmond: Let's blow them away.
Morgan glows dark crimson, sparks flying off her as Desmond drags her along the ground, occasionally spinning her and sending those harmless sparks towards the Sneasel. They're quiet, as this wasn't even worth their time. Though they were happy that this was a sure win.
SACRED SWORD.
You piss off the Venom T-Rex. Roll initiative.
(cw for life threatening allergic reactions)
A school safehouse in Paldea, past
The templar looks inside the bottle, confused.
Templar: This... is just regular berry juice? It is poisoned?
Dr Coleman smiles.
Dr Coleman: Nope. It's 100% pure enigma berry juice from the rare Hoennese variant.
Templar: What's that supposed to do?
Dr Coleman: When I created Rose, I knew eventually we'd have to get rid of her. I didn't want to raise any suspicions when the inevitable happened, so I put some genes in her template to provide a convenient tragedy.
Veilstone outskirts
Violet, Jess and Robin are walking out of town.
Violet: It's a shame we didn't find any good furniture.
Jess: Yeah. It's been nice to get out though. After... everything.
Violet: It's been a bit of a mad month, hasn't it?
Jess pauses. Their breath is noticeably a bit wheezy.
Robin: ~Are you okay?~
Jess: I'm fine... I just feel a bit unwell.
School safehouse, past
Templar: So she's allergic?
Dr Coleman: Indeed. One day I would discover my daughter was deathly allergic to Hoennese enigma berries in the worst way possible.
Templar: Cool. But if she's in the middle of the city won't someone be there to save her life?
Dr Coleman: That's the beauty of the material I'd found. If everything goes as expected, it'll be an hour or two before any symptoms show. Then, the symptoms that do show up aren't obvious until they get serious.
Veilstone outskirts
Jess continues to wheeze. They looks rather clammy and nervous.
Violet: Do you need to sit down?
Jess: Yeah... That'd be... A good...
Jess loses their balance, but Robin catches them.
School safehouse, past
Dr Coleman: ...By which point there will be little time to save her.
Veilstone outskirts
Robin slowly lowers Jess onto the ground. Violet grabs her phone.
Robin: ~Call an ambulance.~
Violet: Already on it.
Jess: Are you sure we need to? I'm just...
They collapse. Violet dives to their side.
Violet: Jess? Are you okay? Can you still hear me?? Jess?? Jess??
Edited by QuantumMelody29 on Jul 31st 2023 at 10:30:58 AM
I used to plug my deviantart here but turns out the link was too long.